JOHN W. BLACK, an ex-commissioner of Fulton County, and for fifteen years superintendent of the county poor farm, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born March 10, 1838; son of John and Elizabeth (Mechling) Black. The father of Mr. Black was born in Germany and died in Ohio, and his mother was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and at seventy-six years of age died in Henry County, Ohio. Mr. Black, the subject of this review, attended the public schools in Phio, and there he also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857, Mr. Black came to Fulton County, Ind., and Jan. 26 of that year he located in New Castle township, where he worked at his trade during the summer season, and taught school during the winter, for five years. The major part of the life of Mr. Black has been devoted to agricultural interests, and in December, 1877, he was appointed superintendent of the poor farm of Fulton County, and in this capacity he continued until March, 1893. All through his long term of office he gave the utmost stisfaction, and the time which he held office is itself positive roof of his undoubted ability to properly care for the poor unfortunates and manage the farm to obtain the best results. In politics Mr. Black is a democrat and, as such, he served the county faithfully and well as a commissioner for five years. During his term as commissioner the county poor house was built, at a cost of $10,000, and also the first iron bridge in the count was erected over the Tippecanoe river. While a resident of New Castle township he served for seven years as trustee. In 1894 he was the nominee of his party for county auditor, but went down with the entire county ticket, in the "land slide" at the election of that year. Mr. Black is now residing on his farm of seventy acres, two miles south of Rochester. He was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1860, to Miss Mary Taylor, who was born in Ohio. To them were born these two children: George and Nora, now Mrs. Bruce Low. Mr. Black has been a Mason since 165, and an I.O.O.F. since 1872. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a man of pleasing manner and one whose honesty and integrity have never been questioned, and who today is one of the most popular men in Fulton County.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


JOSHUA BLACKETOR, a resident of Fulton County since 1837, was born in Decatur County, Ind., in 1827, and is a son of Norman and Patsey (Hoobery) Blacketor. The father of Mr. Blacketor was born in Kentucky and died in Fulton County, Ind., about forty-one years ago, and the mother, a native of the same state, died in this county some forty-four years ago. Mr. Blacketor is the tenth in a family of twelve children, only three of whom are living at this time. Mr. Blacketor was reared upon the farm and farming has been his life occupation. He now owns a good farm of ninety-two acres about four miles southeast of Rochester. This land was entered by his father from the government, and the first deed for it is now in the possession of Mr. Joshua Blacketor. Mr. Blacketor was united in marriage in 1850 to Susan J. Babcock, a native of Indiana. To this marriage there are four living children, viz.: Thomas B., Sarah Ann, Elizabeth M., and James B. The political support of Mr. Blacketor has always been given to the democratic party. All through his residence of fifty-nine years in this county Mr. Blacketor has been known as a man of sterling worth and his friends are legion.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


ABEL F. BOWERS, a contractor and builder, was born in Allen County, Ohio, Jan. 28, 1852, and is a son of William Bowers, whose death occurred in January, 1892. On accounty of the death of the mother Mr. Bowers was raised by Solomon Slusser, who for the last twelve years has resided with Mr. Bowers. After attending the public schools in Ohio for some time he came to Fulton County in June, 1868, and during the winter of 1868-69 he was a student at a country school. In the spring of 1869 he came to Rochester and began learning the mason trade in the employ of C.P. Hinman. During the winter of 1869-70 he attended the Rochester schools and prepared himself for teaching. Thereafter for twelve winters he taught school in this county and worked at his trade during the other seasons of the year. For thirteen years past he has been engaged in the contracting and building business; all work done with cement being his specialty. Specimensof his work can be seen in Northern Indiana towns and Chicago. His marriage took place in February, 1875, to Miss Pauline McQuern, born Oct. 5, 1856, in Fulton County, Ind., and a daughter of James and Martha McQuern, of whom the former was born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are these two children, viz.: L.G., born July 22, 1876, and Bessie, born Oct. 14, 1883. In politics Mr. Bowers has been a life-long republican, and in 1892 was chairman of the republican central committee of this county. He has held the offices of assesor and justice of the peace. He is a pronounced believer in protection. Mr. Bowers is a member of the Masonic farternity and Fredonia lodge, No. 122, K. of P. He deserves the success he has earned.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


CHARLES WILLIAM BRACKETT. -- The gentleman whose name introduces this mention, is a native of Fulton County, Ind., born in the city of Rochester in 1862, and is a son of Dr. Charles and Margaret Brackett, now Mrs. Gould. He first attended the public schools and later graduated from the Rochester high school and then spent one year at Earlham college, at Richmond, Ind., after which he spent two years at the university of Michigan. He returned to Rochester and in 1884 engaged in the lumber business, which he continued until 1896, and then began the livery business. Mr. Brackett was married in 1885 to Miss Ella Mercer, of this county. They have three children, viz.: Mary, Bernice and Ruth. In politics he is a republican and is a member of Fredonia lodge, No. 122, K. of P. He is a man popular with his fellows and possesses good busines ability.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


LYMAN M. BRACKETT, president of the Citizen's State bank of Rochester, is one of the ablest and most sagacious business men of Fulton County. Mr. Brackett was born in this county Sept. 9, 1854. After obtaining a liberal education in the Rochester schools and Earlham college, he completed a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton business college at Chicago, graduating therefrom in 1874. He then became a book-keeper for his step-father, Mr. E.E. Cowgill, then a lumber dealer, of Rochester. Three years later he became Mr. Cowgill's partner in the business, the firm thus formed becoming E.E. Cowgill & Co. In 1882 Mr. Cowgill died, and then Mr. A.J. Barrett became Mr. Brackett's partner in the business. The firm of Brackett & Barrett conducted business until February, 1896, when Mr. Brackett sold his interest to Mr. Barrett. In Febraury, 1894, Mr. Brackett was elected president of the Citizen's State bank and he has since remained the president of this bank, demostrating extraordinary financial ability. He is regarded as a careful and far-seeing business man, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his feloow-citizens. Mr. Brackett has taken considerable interest in politics as a republican, but has never sought political preferment. However, he was honored by an election to the position of presidential elector for the Tenth Indiana district, in the year 1892. Fraternally he is a member of the orders of Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Maccabees. He is an active member of the Baptist Church, of which he has served as trustee for the last ten years. Oct. 17, 1877, Miss Sarah Merriam, of Brandon, Vt., became his wife. She has borne him three children, namely: Zoe A., Charles C. and Lyman E. Mr. Brackett's father was Dr. Charles Brackett who was born at cherry Valley, Otsego County, N.Y., June 18, 1825. Dr. Brackett received a good academical education, and early in life chose medicine as his profession, and graduated from the medical college at Castleton, Vt., in 1845, at the age of twenty years. He immediately established himself in practice at Davenport, Iowa, where he remained only a short time, and then, in 1848, came to Fulton County, Ind., where he soon grew into prominence in his profession. When the call came for soldiers to suppress the Southern rebellion he was among the first to answer the call. His words were: "I deem the preservation of the Federal Union and the maintenance o fthe Constitution paramount duties incumbent on every American citizen, and in the performance of which none should shrink from any toil, sacrifice or suffering." April 20, 1861, found him captain of a company of eighty men, raised in Fulton County, and asking for a place to do service. The company not being accepted by the governor, the call being full, Dr. Brackett went to Indianapolis and tendered his services to the governor, offering to serve the Union army in whatever capacity he could be most useful, and in August, 1861, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the First regiment of Indiana cavalry. He immediately joined the regiment at Camp Blair, Mo. The following November he returned home on account of sickness. While at home he received a commission from Gov. Yates, of Illinois, as surgeon of the Ninth Illinois cavalry regiment, which was organized by his brother, Col. A.G. Brackett. He joined the regiment at Camp Douglas, and from there went into Missouri and Arkansas, and continued in the service until the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1863, at Helena, Ark. A detail was granted to convey his body home to Rochester. Of the above named Ninth Illinois regiment his brother, Albert G. Brackett, was colonel; his brother, Joseph Brackett, was commissary; his brother, James Brackett, was assistant surgeon, while he, as stated above, was surgeon. Dr. Charles Brackett's father was James Brackett, who was born at Lee, N.H., March 31, 1782, and whose father, Joseph Brackett, a native of New Hampshire, was a first lieutenant of cabalry in the Revolutionary war. Dr. Brackett's father was graduated from Dartmouth college in the class of 1805. He became a lawyer and located at Cherry Valley, N.Y., in 1808. One year later he married Eliza Maria (Bennett)Ely, at Philadelphia, and for forty-one years thereafter he practiced law at Cherry Valley, where his family of seven sons and one daughter were reared. Dr. Charles Brackett was married in 1851 to Mrgaret Wilson, who was born at Rome, N.Y. Her father, William Wilson, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. At a very early date he removed from New York to Fulton County, and settled near Kewanna. Unto Dr. Charles Brackett and wife were born the following children: Louisa, Lyman M., Rosanna, Mary and Charles W. In 1869, the widowed mother of these five children became the wife of the late E.E. Cowgill, who in his day was one of the best and most useful citizens of Fulton County. Unto his marriage to Mrs. Dr. Charles Brackett were born two children; the first, a son, died at the age of five years; the second, a daughter, Edith, survives as his only descendant. His widow became the wife of Dr. Vernon Gould, of Rochester, and is still liivng. Mr. Cowgill was born near Wilimington, Clinton County, Ohio, April 21, 1830. He was a son of Asa and Margaret Cowgill. His parents and grandparents were Virginians, of English lineage. Mr. Cowgill became an orphan at a very early age, and was reared by his father's brother. He made his first business adventure at Peru, Ind., where he met with but indifferent success. At Peru he married, in 1862, Miss Nellie Rayburn, who lived but a year after the event, and bore him no children. Shortly after the war Mr. Cowgill located in Rochester, and engaged in the lumber trade, in which he continued to the time of his death, which occurred Aug. 1, 1882. He was bery successful in business, and at the time of his death had accumulated large wealth. Hw was beloved by all who knew him. In him the subject of this sketch, together with his brother and sisters, found a generous friend and kind father, when he became the husband of their widowed mother. To his example, counsel and assistance they ascribe a large share of the advantages they have enjoyed, and in return they cherish his memory as a rich heritage.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


DAVID BRIGHT is a native son of Fulton County and one of its most progessive and popular citizens. He was born July 17, 1846, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of this locality. his grandparents, David and Fannie Bright, were natives of Kentucy and of English lineage. In 1833 they removed to Wayne County, Ind. Their second son, William Bright, who was born in Kentucky Oct. 12, 1821, accompanied them to the Hoosier state, and on March 18, 1841, married Mahala Lane, daughter of Isaiah Lane, a native of Virginia. In 1844 they came to Fulton County, and their home was brightened by the presence of six children - Milo, John, David, Fannie, Adeline and William H. Adeline is the widow of Irvin Black. David Bright was reared in the parental home and received only such educational privileges as were afforded in the primitive log school house of the frontier. He was married Feb. 16, 1871, to Frederica, daughter of Andrew Gast, a native of Bavaria, and a shoemaker by trade. Her father was married in New York city, and after some years' residence in Fremont, Ohio, came in 1853 to Akron, Ind., where he died Sept. 14, 1876. His wife passed away a month later. Mr. and Mrs. Bright have four children - Homer A., aged twenty-three, and Daisy E., aged nineteen, both engaged in teaching; Maud, fourteen years of age; and Ernest, a lad of twelve. At the time of his marriage David Bright began farming on his own account. He built a little cabin in the woods, and began the arduous task of hewing out a farm in the midst of the forest. He had not even a team, but borrowed a horse as he head need for it. The next season his father gave him one, but it died just at the time when he had most use for it. By work at the carpenter's trade he secured the money necessary to improve his farm. Where once stood the dense forest are now seen waving fields of grain, and the little log cabin has been replaced by a comfortable and pleasant residence, while substantial barns and other outbuildings have been erected, adding materially to the value of this fine farm. Mr. Bright has been called to serve the public in the capacity of township trustee, having been elected as a democratic candidate in 1890, although the district is strongly republican, a fact which indicates his personal popularity. He is a progressive man, and has caused to be erected new bridges and school houses, including the fine school building in Akron, which will stand as a monument to his foresight for many years to come.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


Dr. ANGUS BROWN, of Rochester, comes directly from the Gaelic through his father, Hugh Brown, born in the Highlands of Scotland. Hugh Brown emigrated from his native land in 1832, and joined his thousands of countrmen in the queen's dominion on this side of the Atlantic. He brought with him his devoted wife, nee Christina McEachren, and domicilied in Gelngary County, Lower Canada. He re-engaged in farming, the pursuit of his boyhood, and provided comfortably for and educated plainly his large family. Of his sixteen children the following are living: Catharine, wife of Robert Thacker, North Dakota; Hugh, Margan Park, Ill.; Niel, Buffalo, N.Y.; Margaret, wife of a Mr. Coleman, London, Canada, and John, Strathroy, Canada. The father died in 1867, aged eighty-eight. Dr. Angus Brown was the twelfth child. His birth occurred in Glengary County, Feb. 14, 1832. He chose medicine as his profession and about 1860 became a student in the homeopathic medical college at Cleveland, Ohio. He engaged in practice in 1863 in London, Canada, where he remained till coming to Rochester in 1869, bieng the first permanent physician of his school in the county. The doctor is a member of the state medical society. He has served a number of years as a member of the school board in Rochester, and manifested a deep concern for the cause of public education. Dr. Brown's first wife was Jane McArthur, whom he married in Canada. Their children are: Mary C., a teacher in Trinidad Col., who engaged in the work when she was sixteen; Hugh, manager in Chicago for a Boston school-book concern, is a graduate of the university of Michigan and was for two years assistant state superintendent of public instruction of that state, Dougald, a merchant in Pontiac, Mich.; Catherine, wife of a Mr. Floyd, of Trinidad Col.; Jane, wife of William Seller, Kokomo, Ind. Mrs. Brown died in 1867. The doctor's second marriage was in 1871 to Mrs. Lucy A. Shafer, a daughter of Chichester Chinn, a pioneer farmer in Fulton, and who died some forty years ago. This union resulted in four children: William M., married Nettie Owen; John B., Pontiac, Mich.; Archie and Edna. Dr. Brown has been a member of the Christian church since eighteen years of age.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


WILLIAM BROWN, a leading farmer of Liberty township, is also one of Fulton County's pioneers. He was born in Pleasants County, W. Va., Oct. 20, 1847. He came to Fulton County ten years later and grew to manhood on a part of the farm he owns. His education was of the district sort of the days before the war. He started out for himself at twenty years of age on a twenty-acre tract of his own and aided in the cultivation of his father's farm. In a few years he bought the partly improved place of Samuel Stibbs, containing 120 acres. He has erected a commodious residence and other buildings, reduced much of the land to a producing state and purchased enough additional to make him 280 acres. Mr. Brown was married first April 9, 1868, to Mary Catharine, daughter of John Syes, who came to Indiana from Preble County, Ohio. Mrs. Brown died in May, 1869, leaving one child, John D., who is married to Annie Buckley and resides on the farm. Jan. 9, 1876, Mr. Brown married Margaret Ann Gregory. The children of this union are: William E., Walter A., Mary Hester, Arthur Lee, Charles E. and Otto Glen. Our subject's father was John Brown. He was bornin Pleasants County, W. Va., 1823, and died in Fulton County in 1877, leaving a fair estate. He was a democrat and a plain, worthy citizen. He married Elizabeth Bills, who is yet residing on the old homestead, and is seventy-two years of age. Her children are: Susana, wife of William Young, William, Martha J., married to William Floyd, and Elizabeth. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Josiah Brown. William Brown belongs to the democratic party and has served as supervisor.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


ABRAHAM BRUCE, a young and enterprising farmer, residing in Union township, was born on the farm he owns and cultivates. The date of his birth was April 2, 1858. Mr. Bruce is a son of one of the pioneer settlers of Fulton County. He is a son of Abraham and Sarah A. Bruce. His father died in the year 1874, at the age of sixty-three years, and was buried in Bruce's Lake cemetary. Mr. Bruce's mother is still living and resides with him on the old homestead. Her maiden name was Sarah A. Hoch, daughter of Samuel and Helena Hoch. She was born in Union County, Pa., July 31, 1819. Her husband was born also in Pennsylvania, May 16, 1811. He and she were married in their native state in 1835, and emigrated to this county in the fall of 1837, and settled near Bruce's lake. In the spring of 1838 they located on the old homestead now owned by the subject of this mention. He entered eighty acres at first, then later entered other lands, and finally owned 1,160 acres at the time of his death. He was a blacksmith by trade, and together with farming followed his trade throughout life. He came to this county with the limited capital of $50, but he practiced industry, enterprise and frugality and by these means grew prosperous. Politically he was a republican. From an early date he and wife were members of the Evangelical church. Unto these hardy pioneers and respectable citizens the following children were born: Daniel, Isabella, Harriet, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Robert, deceased; Julia, deceased; Abraham, Stephen and Ella M. Abraham, like others of his brothers and sisters, was reared on the farm. He has always lived on the old home place and followed farming. In 1878 he married Mary E., daughter of George and Catharine Dellenger, of Pulaski County. Mrs. Bruce was born in Ohio, but when young was brought to Pulaski County by her parents. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce has been blessed by the birth of two children, viz., Arthur C., and another that died in infancy. Politically Mr. Bruce is a republican and both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


BENJAMIN BRUCE, an ex-treasurer of Fulton County, was born in this county Oct. 12, 1845. In Sept. 8, 1798, Jacob Bruce was born in the state of Pennsylvania. He death occurred in Fulton County Jan. 13, 1872. Jacob was a son of John Bruce, born in Scotland. John Bruce, after coming to America, settled at Philadelphia, where he plied his trade, that of a tinner, grew prosperous and lived many years. He had several sons and daughters, of whom the following came to Fulton County, and here died. The first to come was Stephen Bruce, who came in 1837, and settled at the southeast corner of what is now called Bruce lake, in Union township. The lake received its name in his honor, but was called Kewanna by the Indians, in honor of one of their chiefs. In 1840 the above named Jacob Bruce came to the county and settled in the southwest corner of Aubbeenaubbee township. His sister and her husband, George Ultz, came to the county still later. In Pennsylvania Jacob Bruce married Hettie, a daughter of Christophal Wentzel, the father of Edward Wentzel, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Hetie Bruce, nee Wentzel, was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 9, 1809. She died in this county, Sept. 11, 1871. She bore her husband the following offspring: Louisa, deceased; Edward, deceased; Mary, deceased; Benjamin, the subject of this mention; Elizabeth, Caroline, deceased; and Elizabeth. The father of these children became an extensive farmer and was for many years one of the substantial and leading citizens of the county. On his old homestead the subject of this sketch now resides. He and his good wife were life-long members of the Evangelical church, and brought their family up in that church. Benjamin Bruce has always resided in Aubbeenaubbee township, and devoted his life to successful farming. In politics he has adhered to the principles of the democratic party. In 1890 he was elected treasurer of the county, an office he acceptably filled for one term, refusing to make a second race for the office. Oct. 1, 1868, Mr. Bruce married Mary J., daughter of William and Malinda (Lee) Moon, pioneer settlers in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have had four children, viz.: Jacob, who lived to the age of nineteen years; Willie, who died one year old; Nellie, the one surviving child, and Hettie, who died aged nine years. Mr. Bruce has lived an industrious, moral and honest life, and has won the esteem of many friends.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


GEORGE W. BRUGH was born in Aubbeenaubbee township May 19, 1856. His father, Joseph Brugh, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1822. He removed from Ohio to Steuben County, then to Fulton County, in which he settled on a farm adjoining the present farm of George W. Here his death occurred March 29, 1874. When he came to this county he came by wagon, and owned a span of horses, a wagon, and possessed byt $2.50. He grew prosperous, and at the time of his death owned a good farm of 160 acres. His widow now resides with her son, James B. Brugh, whose personal sketch is given elsewhere in this work. Joseph Brugh became the father of ten children, viz.: George W., James B., Arabella, Albert M., Edward, Lillie, Elmer, Nannie, deceased; Lucy, deceased, and Laura. All the living children are residents of Fulton County. George W., the immediate subject of this personal sketch, remained at the parental home until he reached the age of twenty-three years. Oct. 30, 1879, he married Francis E. Hunter, daughter of Lane and Julia Hunter. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children, viz.: Virle, deceased; Harry O., and Oscar R., deceased. Mr. Brugh and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and in politics he has adhered to democracy. Though he began life as a poor man, Mr. Brugh has been very successful as a tiller of the soil and stockraiser.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


JAMES B. BRUGH, a son of Joseph Brugh and a brother of George W. Brugh, who is mentioned above, was born in Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton County, on April 24, 1857. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years of age, and worked on the farm with his father and brothers. He began life for himself at the above age, as a partner with his brother, George W., at farming. Subsequently the partnership was dissolved and since Mr. Brugh has farmed alone. He has prospered and now owns an excellent farm of 160 acres. His aged mother resides with him, as has been noted in the sketch of George, his brother. Mr. Brugh has always been a stanch democrat, politically. He is a member of the fraternal order known as the Knights of Maccabee. He is a representative citizen, industrious and persevering, and has won the reputation of being such in the estimation of all who know him.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


NOAH BRUMBAUGH, a representative farmer and citizen of Fulton County, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and was born March 16, 1834. His parents were Isaac and Catherine (Zerkle) Brumbaugh. The father was born in West Virginia in 1803, and died at the home of the subject of this sketch, in this county, in 1884. He was a son of David Brumbaugh, who was of German parentage. Mr. Brumbaugh's mother was born in Old Virginia. She bore her husband twelve children, of whom five are now living. The home of the family was in Fairfield County, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a highly respected citizen. Noah Brumbaugh's youth was spent on the farm and farming has been his main pursuit. In youth his educational advantages were very poor, but through the avenues of books and papers he has become well informed on many subjects of general interest, and no man stands a warmer friend of education than does Mr. Brumbaugh. He remained under the parental roof until he was nineteen years old. Learning the carriage-maker's trade, he followed the same for about eight years, with the exception of the time he has been a tiller of the soil. At farming he has been very successful. He came to Fulton County in 1864, and located on his present farm near Kewanna. Mr. Brumbaugh and Maria Apt were united in marriage in 1862, in Fairfield County, Ohio, where she was born. Unto the union the following children have been born: Cora, once a teacher, now wife of William Mason, of Kewanna; Prof. Jesse F., graduate of De Pauw university, now principal of Brown's Valley, Minn., schools; Orpha Many, graduate of De Pauw university, now teaching; Nevada, teacher; David, and Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Brumbaugh are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and enjoy the esteem of a wide circle of friends.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


Deb Murray